Mean What You Say

26 Jul

“If your actions don’t live up to your words, you have nothing to say.”  ~ DaShanne Stokes

Children get it and they usually get it rather quickly.  When someone promises them something, they become very excited.  They look forward to whatever it is that was promised.  If the promise is not delivered, they are crushed.  When they are promised something again by the same person, they become really excited once more.  If the promised expectation is not realized, they are crushed.

But, usually, that is it.

When they are promised something yet again by the same person that has disappointed them a couple of times, the promise is met with suspicion.  While they might be excited about getting something that they desire, they do not “hold their breath” thinking that the person will deliver.  They have already been burned twice and are not willing to get their hopes too high multiple times after that.  After that, anything the person who broke promises says to them becomes met with great suspicion.

“If your actions don’t live up to your words, you have nothing to say.”  Christians live by “The Word”, Jesus Christ.  He meant everything that He said and He was willing to back everything that He said — all the way to the cross.  But, Jesus was not a solo act.  He wanted His followers — ALL of His followers — to do the same.  Jesus wanted them to be people of word and people of action.

We are called to proclaim the Good News.  Our proclamation will not be effective, though, if we fail to live the Good News.  Speaking about God’s love while being a person who hates is not being Christian.  Speaking about God’s mercy while being merciless is not being Christian.  Speaking about … well, I think you get the message.

Do not just speak the Good News today; but, do the Good News.  Be the Good News.

FAITH ACTION:  Ask God to give you the grace that you need in order to make sure that all your actions are consistent with your words this day.